Someone Like Hugh -Draft Complete And EDITING-

Chapter Sixteen

Hugh's POV:

I changed into the sweat pants and tshirt James had left for me. I preferred to sleep in my boxers, but I wasn't sure I'd be able to sleep in general.

Amelia's last text to me kept replaying in my mind. How could her family not stand up for her to her mother? Were they just like her? I could tell she had a special bond with her brothers.

Maybe I could get James to tell me more tomorrow. I walked out on the balcony, trying to decide how to reply to her. I heard a soft singing coming from my side and saw her silhouette on her own balcony.

"My heart, my soul,
Bound once more,
I will not say good bye,
Seasons change,
Memories fade,
Until it's time to die,

My pain, my fear,
Have all become,
Far stronger than I,
How will I,
Live to see,
The day when it all dies.

I tried to change,
My fate but I,
Am not meant to stay,
Dark lives on,
While light fades,
It is my time to die," she sang in a soft somber voice.

She was just a few windows and a  balcony away from me. Before unrealized what I was doing, I was climbing over the rails and scaling the wall. I hopped down behind her without making a sound.

"Shhh, it's me," I whispered covering her mouth so she wouldn't scream. She felt clammy and cold. "Don't you ever wear a coat, woman?" I teased releasing her.

"I'm fine," she insisted. "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

I shrugged playfully and pointed back the way I came. "I couldn't sleep," I smiled. She stood and ushered me in. She closed the balcony doors and carefully walked in. Wincing a little in pain. "I'm fine, I just need to lay down for a bit," she said softly.

"She was here, wasn't she?" I asked and she tensed. She flinched a little, giving me the answer I needed. "What did she do to you?"

"Hugh, I'm okay really. I've had much worse," she said softly sitting on her bed and leaning back. Her shirt rode up a little and I could see the purple bruises already forming overlapping with older darker ones.

Without thinking, I stepped over to her, and pulled her shirt up a little further. She grabbed my wrist to stop me, but it was too late. I had ready seen the damage. "How are you still walking right now?"

"Very carefully," she replied as I let go of her shirt.

"How long?"

"How long what?" She asked.

"How long has she been doing this to you?" I asked angrily. Amelia flinched and informed myself to calm down.

"You don't want to know," she replied releasing my wrist. "You promised you wouldn't get involved."

"You're right. And I want to earn your trust Amelia, I really do. But I don't know if I can let her do this to you," I replied.

"You have to. If I stand up to her, she will kick me out. Then the boys will become her next targets. I made that mistake once and I never will again," Amelia replied worriedly.

"I understand. Try and get some rest," I spoke, helping her turn her body to lay with her head on her pillows. "I won't interfere."

Suddenly I was grateful that I had locked the door to my bedroom upon returning. I didn't want anyone to see I wasn't there and come looking for me here.

I laid down behind her, pulling her close to me, careful not to touch any of the bruises I had seen. "I'll stay until you fall asleep, then I'll go back to my room," I whispered to her.

I stroked her hair, hoping it would help calm her down. Her body was beginning to warm up finally. Before long she was asleep.